Research and innovation as a catalyst for food system transformation

Abstract

Background Food systems are associated with severe and persistent problems worldwide. Governance approaches aiming to foster sustainable transformation of food systems face several challenges due to the complex nature of food systems. Scope and approach In this commentary we argue that addressing these governance challenges requires the development and adoption of novel research and innovation (R&I) approaches that will provide evidence to inform food system transformation and will serve as catalysts for change. We first elaborate on the complexity of food systems (transformation) and stress the need to move beyond traditional linear R&I approaches to be able to respond to persistent problems that affect food systems. Though integrated transdisciplinary approaches are promising, current R&I systems do not sufficiently support such endeavors. As such, we argue, we need strategies that trigger a double transformation – of food systems and of their R&I systems. Key Findings and Conclusions : Seizing the opportunities to transform R&I systems has implications for how research is done – pointing to the need for competence development among researchers, policy makers and society in general – and requires specific governance interventions that stimulate a systemic approach. Such interventions should foster transdisciplinary and transformative research agendas that stimulate portfolios of projects that will reinforce one another, and stimulate innovative experiments to shape conditions for systemic change. In short, a thorough rethinking of the role of R&I as well as how it is funded is a crucial step towards the development of the integrative policies that are necessary to engender systemic change – in the food system and beyond.

Unraveling the politics of ‘doing inclusion’ in transdisciplinarity for sustainable transformation

“…Our findings also suggest that while focusing on concrete (transformative) outcomes is an important aspect of transdisciplinary projects, a purely functionalist take does not capture the rich and challenging political nature of doing inclusion efforts, and the potential legitimating and empowering roles that such processes bring along. Moving beyond the functional turn then also requires fostering R&I governance efforts that support transdisciplinarity through providing systemic environments in which truly reflexive transformation processes are to be enacted (Schot and Steinmueller 2018 ; Fazey et al 2018 , 2020 ; Kok et al 2019 ; Klerkx and Begemann 2020 ; Den Boer et al 2021a ).…”

“…Examples might include more socially robust innovations that are better equipped to provide solutions to real-world challenges, due to the integration of different (stakeholder) perspectives, values and knowledge (Nowotny et al 2003 ; Lang et al 2012 ). This is especially relevant for designing transformation pathways towards sustainability (Fazey et al 2018 , 2020 ; Caniglia et al 2020 ; West et al 2020 ; Den Boer et al 2021a ). A third argument is that transdisciplinary co-production of R&I leads to increased legitimacy of processes and outcomes, especially in the context of implementation of R&I interventions (van Kerkhoff and Lebel 2006 ; Stirling 2008 ; Lang et al 2012 ).…”

Food Systems Transformation for Child Health and Well-Being: The Essential Role of Dairy

“…If we are to collectively achieve the SDGs by 2030, all major food system actors must unite behind “win-win” (i.e., synergistic) solutions that aim to solve multiple sustainability issues at once without causing new ones [ 52 ]. Accomplishing this task of optimizing food systems transformation will require a huge shift in industry and government support towards transdisciplinary approaches to research and policy decisions, with many of these new strategies dependent on the development and deployment of evidence-based innovations and technologies [ 53 , 54 ]. These “win-win” science-backed strategies, such as food fortification, regenerative agriculture, sustainable intensification, carbon capture/sequestration, blockchain technologies, upcycling of byproducts, waste valorization, improvements in biofuels, and the creation of safer agrochemicals [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], will all play key roles towards enabling safer, healthier, and more sustainable futures for the next generations.…”

FIT4FOOD2030: Future‐proofing Europe’s Food Systems with Tools for Transformation and a Sustainable Food Systems Network

“…Traditionally, Research and Innovation (R&I) contribute to the production of new knowledge and to progressing innovation through the development or improvement of products, processes and services (European Commission, 2017). However, it is increasingly argued that R&I can also play a crucial role in identifying and supporting high‐impact solutions to persistent food systems‐related challenges and can contribute to systems transformation (Den Boer et al, 2021; Herrero et al, 2020). While traditional R&I efforts have been successful in contributing to solutions within specific, compartmentalised parts of food systems, such as agricultural production or consumption, engagement with wider parts of food systems is still lacking.…”

“…To deal with the inextricable linkages within and beyond food systems, the associated governance challenges, and to unlock the potential of R&I to serve as a catalyst for change, R&I systems should be inclusive, transparent, intersectoral, multi‐stakeholder, multi‐factorial, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary (Den Boer et al, 2021). Alongside traditional R&I, there is a need for novel R&I efforts that adopt systemic approaches where different stakeholder groups, sectors, governance levels, and policy fields are included during the whole R&I process (Abson et al, 2017) to align outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of society (European Commission, 2014).…”